The Pittsburgh Steelers are supposed to be signing free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and Mason Rudolph is among those left waiting.
Mason Rudolph sits atop the Pittsburgh Steelers depth chart. But it is an uncomfortable seat.
The Steelers have three quarterbacks on the roster. ... but none of them (yet) is named "Aaron Rodgers.'' So they are obliged to go about their business as if they are preparing for a job and competing for a job that they may, in the end, have no real shot at.
And yes, Rudolph, is conceding that it amounts to a "constant noise.''
In a blunt take on the odd situation, Rudolph is saying that some level of high-profile discomfort is "the nature of the NFL'' and is therefore something he's grown accustomed to.
But ...
“That’s nothing new to me. There’s been constant noise,'' he said. “That is the nature of the NFL. So I am used to that for a long time. Now I’m doing nothing but being the best I can be to help our team get better this spring.”
That's the right thing to say, and it echoes much of what other Steelers roster members have said about the do-what-he-wants Rodgers, the faded four-time NFL MVP who is absolutely - deny it as he does - "holding the Steelers hostage.''
Privately, we bet, Rudolph, former seventh-round pick Skylar Thompson and rookie Will Howard would all like some level of clarity from the team.
But they can't get it from the Steelers until the Steelers get it from free agent Rodgers.
There are assumptions made. And there have been hints dropped, even from Rodgers himself, as he seems to enjoy milking this drama for all it is worth.
But he hasn't really said anything that firms up his plans to come here ... or to retire, which is the only other option as no other team seems interest in taking on him and his 41 years of baggage.
The Steelers made the playoffs last year with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson splitting time at QB under coach Mike Tomlin. Some think maybe they'd be better off trying to do that again, with Mason Rudolph instead of with Aaron Rodgers.
Unquestionably, Rudolph has one clear edge over Rodgers: At least he shows up for work.
